A Hidden Gem Amid Flower-lined Paths: Taste Tainan-Style Home Cooking and Giant Shaved Ice

Text & Photos /MIKA

I’ve really been drawn to Tainan lately and have visited often—the Anping area is my favorite. In addition to many famous local Tainan snacks, Anping also boasts plenty of attractions. For example, there's the Sicao Green Tunnel and Qigu Salt Mountain... The Qigu Salt Mountain, which recently featured a giant Maneki-neko (lucky cat), is definitely a must-visit spot now. And Yating Landscape Restaurant is located among these attractions, boasting an excellent location. Although it’s a bit tricky to find, its slightly off-the-beaten-path location means the environment is beautiful—like a coconut grove embracing a lakeside garden, absolutely stunning.

In addition to a pretty artificial lake, the shadows of coconut trees, and lush green lawns, you can also enjoy handmade traditional tapioca pearls and authentic Tainan cuisine here. It’s perfect for families to visit together, and you can even try your hand at making handmade tapioca pearls in a DIY session. Yating also offers a must-order Giant Shaved Ice—it’s super huge. It’s loaded with handmade tapioca pearls, tangyuan (sweet rice balls), coffee jelly, topped with two scoops of ice cream. It’s so big that the three of us couldn’t finish it. I highly recommend adding Yating Landscape Restaurant to your list when you’re planning a one-day trip to Anping, Tainan.

Yating’s location is a bit hidden—you’ll actually find it if you walk straight toward the Sicao Bridge and head down for about five minutes after getting off the bridge. Just look for its low-key signboard.

The parking area here has a casual garden and plantings—it’s the owner’s little happy farm, so don’t forget to take a stroll around.

After passing through the purple bougainvillea-lined avenue, it feels like you’re being welcomed and embraced by a sea of purple flowers. It’s so grand and impressive—makes you feel a little shy, XD.

Look to the left, and you’ll see a beautiful artificial lake.

Blessed with both natural landscapes and the man-made lake, the owner told us that this area used to be a fish farming site. After it was no longer in use, ducks and tilapia were raised here… It serves as both a scenic lake and a place for raising ducks, geese, and fish—so practical. And although the lake isn’t flowing, it doesn’t smell bad at all, and the ecosystem is quite rich.

There’s even a miniature boat house on the lake. The boat house is modeled after the old-style barrel-shaped shelters that fishermen used to take care of their fish farms. The owner mentioned they might open it up as a homestay in the future—wow, I can’t wait.

Is that the legendary Juzo Katsuji? Even the police station is managing dog houses now.

Yating still maintains a very simple garden style. At the entrance of its plain and modest bungalow are a few pavilions and tables. You can tell the wooden tables and chairs are handmade—it feels like a cozy holiday at your grandmother’s countryside home.

The interior is a bit more colorful, with vibrant chairs that create a lively and energetic atmosphere.

There are plenty of seats, and inside the restaurant, you’ll also find tools from the old busy farming days—super nostalgic, and it really adds to the welcoming vibe.

The counter is also designed in a very simple style.

The Giant Shaved Ice is only 300 NT. When you’re in Tainan, you’ve got to try the ice and drinks—somehow, the drinks and shaved ice in Tainan just taste especially good.

Their signature item here is the purely handmade tapioca pearls and tangyuan. Whether you want them hot or cold, don’t miss out on this classic traditional flavor.

It’s noon, and my friend and I discussed what to eat before finally deciding to try some local dishes.

We went for a simple three-dish-one-soup set—simple, hearty, and full of Tainan flavor.

Milkfish Belly
How can you visit Tainan without trying milkfish belly? Pan-fried milkfish belly is rich in oil, with tender, smooth meat that’s flavorful and delicious with a dash of pepper.

Stir-fried Cabbage with Dried Shrimp
Stir-fried cabbage with the aroma of dried shrimp—crispy, sweet, and fresh.

Oyster Vermicelli
I love their oyster vermicelli—the oysters are plump, fresh, and delicious. The seasoning on the noodles is savory and tasty. It was the most popular dish of the day.

Watermelon Pith Fish Skin Soup
Watermelon pith is the young fruit of the watermelon. Because it used to be discarded, people started picking and preserving it in the past. It’s used for soup-making and is said to be very nutritious. Tainan locals love to cook it with fish—the soup turns out incredibly refreshing.

Tapioca Pearl Fresh Milk Tea – 130 NT
Absolutely recommended—must order!! The traditional handmade tapioca pearls here are really something else. Super smooth and chewy, absolutely delicious. Plus, tapioca pearls and fresh milk tea pair perfectly. Their version isn’t too sweet, with a higher proportion of tea, which I love.

Giant Burger Shaved Ice – NT$300
A giant burger shaved ice made with handmade tapioca pearls, tangyuan (sweet rice balls), coffee jelly, passion fruit, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. As soon as it was served, it drew gasps of amazement — it was just too tempting. It even compelled us to order a bowl in the winter, absolutely worth every penny!!

Just look at that generous serving of handmade tapioca pearls, tangyuan, and coffee jelly — such a hearty portion!! This bowl could easily feed three to four people, truly a challenge. I couldn’t stop digging into the tapioca and tangyuan, they were so delicious!! Plus, the tapioca and tangyuan are warm when added to the shaved ice, creating this amazing contrast of hot and cold textures. You get the smooth, chewy feel along with the gradually freezing sensation — both experiences in one bite.

Caramel Condensed Milk Mixed Tapioca Pearls – NT$80
Since we’re here, might as well enjoy both the cold and hot treats XD. The hot traditional-style mixed handmade tapioca pearls served in a sweet soup with caramel condensed milk, so satisfying when drunk hot!!

It’s basically simple handmade tapioca and tangyuan, with different sizes to enjoy. They’re soft, smooth, and delightfully chewy too!!

Remember Dad’s old Dada Ke back in the day? Haha, actually my dad used to ride a Yamaha back then... Can’t recall ever having any Dada Ke memories at home.

The chairs and tables here are super casual, it’s a very down-to-earth and friendly place.

I’m more interested in the houseboats on the water — can people really live in them?? What if you need to pee in the middle of the night?? But they’re built so quaint and cute, makes you want to go in for a look!!

So this is how traditional tapioca and tangyuan are made. If you have time, you can book a DIY tapioca and tangyuan session. Parents and kids can learn to make traditional handmade tapioca together — definitely a lot of fun!!

An artificial lake surrounded by green shadows and trees, doesn’t it feel poetic and romantic?

Not sure if they’re ducks or geese leisurely paddling around the middle of the lake, so relaxing.

When the staff scatter feed, even the fish come rushing over. The sight of fish and ducks competing for food is spectacular!!

After eating and drinking our fill, we strolled leisurely around the courtyard. We spotted a hammock among the coconut palms and really wanted to lie in it, swaying along with the palms in the breeze. With the gentle cool wind blowing, what a relaxing afternoon.

The stone mill I also saw at my grandmother’s house — back in the day, people used this to grind rice paste, such hard work.

Coconut Court Landscape Restaurant boasts a natural landscape embraced by coconut groves and shaded greenery, plus an exceptional view encompassing a pool of spring water. When the sunlight hits, the lake sparkles, reflecting the interlacing tree shadows, making you involuntarily enchanted. Such a luxurious and dreamy coconut grove lakeside view.

Coconut Court also has adorable squirrels, turtles, and magpies that mimic human laughter, as well as noble and rare golden pheasants. Adults can fully enjoy the laughter, great food, and scenery here, while kids can play amidst the vast green lawns, coconut groves, and blooming flowers, even getting up close with the little animals. This place is perfect for family trips!! It’s best to plan a one-day tour — combine it with the Sicao Green Tunnel, Qigu Salt Mountain, and Coconut Court Landscape Restaurant for the perfect mix of food, drinks, and fun.

Coconut Court business hours.

Qigu Salt Mountain
Address: No. 66, Yancheng Li, Qigu District, Tainan City
Customer Service Hotline: 06-7800511 ext. 49
Business Hours: Open year-round (except for typhoon holidays announced by the government)
Summer (March–October): 9:00–18:00
Winter (November–February): 8:30–17:30
Qigu Salt Mountain official website:http://cigu.tybio.com.tw/

When you visit Coconut Court Landscape Restaurant, don’t forget to stop by Qigu Salt Mountain nearby. Recently, there’s been a giant Maneki-neko (lucky cat) on display, with the exhibition running until March 15, 2015.

A cute and giant mascot cat is waving at you.

Phone: 06-2841610
Address: No. 360, Dazhong Street, Annan District, Tainan City
Business Hours: Saturday & Sunday 09:00–17:30, other times by appointment only

Don't miss the Four Grass Green Tunnel in Anping, also known as the "Miniature Amazon of Taiwan." This ecological green tunnel is naturally formed by mangroves. Drift slowly through this fairy-tale-like emerald passage on a bamboo raft, with sunlight filtering through the canopy, casting shimmering patterns of light and shadow across the water's surface — a dazzling display of nature’s brilliance. Such a mesmerizing scene is truly not to be missed!

Epilogue:
Coconut Courtyard Landscape Restaurant boasts a unique lakeside setting surrounded by coconut palms, along with handcrafted traditional tapioca pearls and authentic local Tainan street snacks... Conveniently located between the Anping Four Grass Green Tunnel and the Qigu Salt Mountain, its prime location makes it perfect for planning a one-day or two-day trip. Next time you visit Anping, don’t forget about this hidden gem — the Coconut Courtyard Landscape Restaurant, where you can enjoy breathtaking natural scenery of lake views, coconut groves, and vibrant ecosystems, paired with delicious homemade traditional Tainan cuisine. When exploring Anping’s famous attractions, make sure to try the must-eat dishes at Coconut Courtyard. Highly recommended!!

Coconut Courtyard Landscape Restaurant
Address: No. 261, Sicao Boulevard, Tainan City
Phone: 06-2840988
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–20:00
Open on Mondays during national holidays
Facebook Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/y2840988

Traveling is to return to where you came from with deeper understanding.
MIKA’s Travel & Food Diary